Eric Brighteyes eBook

“That is my will, surely. There is no match
in Iceland as this Ospakar, and I should win many
friends by it.”

“Do this then, Bjoern. Send messengers
to Swinefell and say to Ospakar that if he would still
wed Gudruda the Fair, Asmund’s daughter, let
him come to Middalhof when folk ride from the Thing
and he shall not go hence alone. Nay, I have
done. Now, I pray thee speak no more to me of
Eric or of Ospakar. Of the one I have seen and
heard enough, and of the other I shall hear and see
enough in the years that are to come.”

XXII

HOW ERIC CAME HOME AGAIN

Swanhild made a good passage from the Orkneys, and
was in Iceland thirty-five days before Eric and Skallagrim
set foot there. But she did not land by Westman
Isles, for she had no wish to face Gudruda at that
time, but by Reyjaness. Now she rode thence with
her company to Thingvalla, for here all men were gathered
for the Thing. At first people hung aloof from
her, notwithstanding her wealth and beauty; but Swanhild
knew well how to win the hearts of men. For now
she told the same story of Eric that she had told
to Atli, and there were none to say her nay.
So it came to pass that she was believed, and Eric
Brighteyes held to be shamed indeed. Now, too,
she set a suit on foot against Eric for the death
of Atli at his hand, claiming that sentence of the
greater outlawry should be passed against him, and
that his lands at Coldback in the Marsh on Ran River
should be given, half to her in atonement for the
Earl’s death, and half to the men of Eric’s
quarter.

On the day of the opening of the Thing Ospakar Blacktooth
came from the north, and with him his son Gizur and
a great company of men. Ospakar was blithe, for
from the Thing he should ride to Middalhof, there to
wed Gudruda the Fair. Then Swanhild clad herself
in beautiful attire, and, taking men with her, went
to the booth of Ospakar.

Blacktooth sat in his booth and by him sat Gizur his
son the Lawman. When he saw a beauteous lady,
very richly clad, enter the booth he did not know
who it might be. But Gizur knew her well, for
he could never put Swanhild from his mind.

“Lo! here comes Swanhild the Fatherless, Atli’s
widow,” said Gizur, flushing red with joy at
the sight of her.

Then Ospakar greeted her heartily, and made place
for her by him at the top of the booth.

“Ospakar Blacktooth,” she said, “I
am come to ask this of thee: that thou shalt
befriend me in the suit which I have against Eric Brighteyes
for the slaying of Earl Atli, my husband.”

“Thou couldst have come to no man who is more
willing,” said Ospakar, “for, if thou
hast something against Eric, I have yet more.”

“I would ask this, too, Ospakar: that thy
son Gizur should take up my suit and plead it; for
I know well that he is the most skilful of all lawmen.”